Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the award of this fellowship, a candidate should satisfy the set conditions. The government scheme is only available for people who satisfy the eligibility criteria.

• Must belong to the SC/ST category with a Post Graduate degree.

• He or she should be registered for M.Phil/PhD

• Transgender candidates are also eligible under this govt scheme.

• All reservations will be done as per the Government of India norms.

Nature Of Assistance Available Under The Scheme

The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) has a proper assessment and extension process for supporting the beneficiary. Here is an overview of the tenure of the fellowship and the conditions under which continuation and enhancement take place:

• The fellowship is initially granted for a five-year period, during which fellows are expected to make satisfactory progress in their research.

• Before the end of the initial tenure, the fellow’s work is reviewed by a three-member committee comprising the Head of the Department, the Supervisor, and an external subject expert. This committee, established by the department, assesses the fellow's progress.

• If the fellow’s research is deemed satisfactory, their tenure is extended for an additional five years with enhanced fellowship rates, and the recommendation is submitted to the UGC using Annexure-VI for upgradation to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) under the RGNF-SC Scheme.

• Only the time and research conducted under the RGNF-SC scheme are considered for fellowship enhancement; any other scholarships or fellowships previously held are not factored in.

• If the fellow’s work is unsatisfactory or if they fail any PhD-related examinations, the fellowship may be withdrawn.

• If the fellow's progress during the first two years is unsatisfactory, they are given an additional year to improve, during which they are designated as a Rajiv Gandhi National Junior Fellow. After this period, the committee re-evaluates the work to determine suitability for continued support.

• If improvement is demonstrated, the fellowship may be extended for two more years at the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) level. If no improvement is found, the fellow may continue for the remaining tenure at the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) rate.

Distribution Of Fellowship

Amount Of Fellowship

It has a fellowship for the support of deserving students, keeping in view UGC guidelines. The fellows are remunerated at prescribed rates, as applicable for the time, in tune with UGC's policies and government norms. In detail, fellowship rates are at par with the UGC Fellowship, as amended from time to time.

• Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences: INR 25,000 per month for the initial two years.

• Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences: INR 28,000 per month for the remaining tenure.

• INR 10,000 per annum for the initial two years (JRF).

INR 20,500 per year for the rest of the tenure (SRF).

• INR 12,000 per year for the first two years (JRF).

INR 25,000 per year for the rest of the tenure (SRF).

• INR 2,000/-per month for Physically handicapped and blind candidates (all subjects).

• According to Govt. of India norms apply to all subjects.

House Rent Allowance

The fellowship is provided with a stipend to motivate research towards Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences. The rates are based on the UGC Fellowship and may be altered as per the norms of the government. The information is reflected below.

• Accommodation in suitable single-seated hostel the candidates may be given in the respective institutions. There, the fellow is eligible to draw only hostel fees, excluding mess, electricity, water charges, etc. A certificate confirming this must be provided by the Registrar, Director, or Principal. HRA is not admissible for those candidates who are staying in Hostel accommodation.

• The host institution may provide fellows with single accommodation in case of non-availability of hostel accommodation. In such cases, rent paid by the fellow on an actual basis may be reimbursed, subject to the ceiling of HRA as per Govt. of India norms.

• If the fellow themselves make their arrangements of accommodation, they may be eligible to draw HRA as per the categorisation of cities by the Govt of India.

Medical

No separate /fixed medical assistance is provided. However, the fellow may avail of the medical facilities available in the University/Institution/College.

Leave

The fellowship also has provisions for leave to cater to the well-being and academic growth of candidates. Leave policies are created to balance personal needs and research commitments. The details include

• Maximum of 30 days per year, along with public holidays.

• No entitlement for summer, winter, or pooja vacations.

• Maternity/paternity leave at full fellowship rates under Government of India rules, once during the fellowship tenure.

• Eligible to be granted Academic leave for up to one academic year during the term of fellowship, for academic/teaching assignments or foreign visits in connection with research work.

• No fellowship or emoluments during this period.